21 hours ago
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Senior Multimedia Reporter
T&T senior men’s football team coach Derek King says the experience his team is getting from facing top-quality opposition would be valuable for the continued development of the squad.
King was speaking after his team was outclassed 5-0 by FIFA 25th-ranked South Korea in an international friendly at BYU South Field in Provo, Utah, USA, on Saturday night.
Captain Son Heung-min scored a first-half brace in the 40th, and 43rd minutes, the second a penalty while Gue-sung Cho added a second-half double in the 65th, and 77th, with Hwang Hee-chan also scoring a penalty in the 75th for the South Koreans who were using the match as part of their preparations for the 2026 Fifa World Cup where they will compete in Group A against South Africa, Mexico, and Czechia beginning June 12 in USA, Mexico and Canada.
Speaking after the match, King acknowledged the quality of the opposition but said the experience would be valuable for the continued development of the squad.
“We knew we were coming up against a very strong team that is preparing for a World Cup and has players competing at some of the highest levels of the game. The scoreline is disappointing, but there are lessons that we must take from this experience.”
The 46-year-old King, a former national defender who has served as assistant national coach to past T&T coaches Stephen Hart, Dwight Yorke, and Angus Eve, pointed to the limited preparation time and the number of new players integrated into the squad.
King, who served as interim head coach for friendlies in March in the Fifa Series, both defeats against Venezuela (4-1) and Gabon (3-2 on penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw), explained, ‘We had players arriving on Thursday and had two sessions together before facing a team of South Korea’s quality. We also gave opportunities to several players making their international debuts, and these are experiences that will help them understand the demands of international football.”
A T&T Pro league winning coach with the now defunct Joe Public where he captured five titles in one season in 2009, King praised the team’s commitment despite the result.
“For the first 30 minutes we were organised and disciplined, but against top opposition you have to maintain that concentration for the full match. We saw areas where we need to improve, particularly in possession and decision-making under pressure, but there were also positives in terms of attitude, effort and the willingness of the players to compete.”
King added that the encounter provided a clear benchmark for the younger members of the squad.
“These are the types of matches that show players the level required to compete internationally. It is all part of the growth process. We will review the performance, learn from it and continue working to build a stronger national team moving forward.”
Going into the match, King was without a number of regulars in Levi Garcia, Ajani Fortune, Denzil Smith, Nathaniel James, Wayne Fresderick, Andre Rampersad, Rio Cardines, Luke Singh, Dantaye Gilbert, and Tyrese Spicer for various reasons, and the T&T coach was adamant that the guys who came in did well.”
“I brought these guys here as part of a building process for us as well. A young team with players coming together just for two days. So I think we had some positives in the game as well.”
“We had some new players that we saw, and I think once we continue getting opponents like this, we have to try to raise our level because simple mistakes will cost you the game.”
Following the victory, Son praised his team’s response after consecutive defeats in March and urged supporters not to take the result for granted.
“I think our confidence may have been low after losing twice in March, and we will try to build on this and keep the momentum going,” Son told reporters after the match.
“Regardless of opponents, it’s not easy to win 5-0. I hope people don’t take this for granted. The players deserve credit, and I think we’re moving in the right direction.”
The two goals moved Son to 56 international goals for South Korea, just two shy of the national men’s all-time scoring record held by Cha Bum-kun. However, the forward insisted that personal milestones remain secondary to team success.
“It’s more important for me to play well for the team, and it doesn’t always have to be about scoring goals,” Son added.
“Making sacrifices for the team and doing whatever the team needs is my favourite thing to do, something that I’ve valued more than anything throughout my career.”
South Korea, who are preparing for the FIFA World Cup, will next face El Salvador in Utah, while T&T faces Russia, 1-0 losers to Egypt on Thursday last, in another away friendly international Tuesday, June 9.
English (US) ·